Today we continue with our series on the seven capital sins. We have looked at Anger and Lust. Today we will consider pride.

The Third Mass Preface of Lent expresses to the Father the spirit we are to have as we “climb the holy mountain” towards Easter:

You ask us to express our thanks by self-denial.We are to master our sinfulness and conquer our pride.We are to show to those in need your goodness to ourselves.

The very real presence of the Devil and the seven deadly sins (pride, envy, anger, sloth, avarice, gluttony, and lust) active in our world, are something to examine especially at this time of year. We should seek to eradicate them from our lives and let the goodness of almighty God shine forth. I hope to present all seven over the next few weeks; and likely into the Easter Season. I have taken great encouragement for this exposition from Bishop Robert Barron’s CD “Seven Deadly Sins / Seven Lively Virtues”, currently available in the Lighthouse Catholic Media display. If any of this echoes his presentation, I give him the credit!

Pride is the root of all sin which paves the road for all the others. It is the sin of Adam and Eve; the Original Sin. As we heard in the reading from Genesis on the First Sunday of Lent, at the prompting of the serpent, our first parents bought into the lie that they could be something greater than they were. They were lured into believing that they could be like God; even possibly being “competition” for Him. It was and always is a disordered desire to excel; a self-centered desire and not one of wanting to share in God’s power to be only good and do only good, but to have selfish advantage or power and control over others, which is evil.

Psychology tells us that whether one feels either inferior or superior to others, both are inferiority complexes. The former makes itself obvious, while in the latter, arrogance masks deep-down fears of inadequacy. To look at ourselves as somehow superior to others can be a very real temptation. When we are prideful, we want to be the center of our own destiny, rather than let God be the One who is Lord of all things, and seeing all others in His light.

“When man isolates self from God and the rest of humanity and makes self-absolute or central, either ignoring all others or using them solely towards the achievement of his own private ends, he has the vice of pride… At the root of all such sins there is an exaggerated love and concern for self that clouds one’s knowledge and appreciation of the true self and the corresponding worth of others.” (Catholic Encyclopedia)

To one degree or another, this sin exists in all of us; and typically in very subtle ways. Some examples of pride can even parade themselves as virtues. i.e.: when one is given a (well deserved) compliment, and in response puts him/herself down (false humility), rather than graciously say, “Thank-you,” while explicitly or implicitly giving God the credit and glory for the gifts required to achieve whatever was accomplished.

“Scrupulous” individuals suffer from a variety of pride that does not allow God to be all merciful: in essence saying, “God is not powerful enough to forgive me or cover for my inadequacies and failings.” The scrupulous says his unworthiness is larger than God. No matter how we think or feel, God is much greater than even the worst sin we can commit.

“Presumptuous” individuals exhibit the opposite attitude: acting as if that no matter what I do, God is going to forgive me. That everything I do (no matter how intrinsically evil) is justifiable and OK. The presumptuous person, in essence, “tells” God how to be God; can flaunt the laws of God and the Church, and legitimate authority. This is often manifested in what can be called the “…but I’m a good person…” syndrome; “God has to forgive me because I am wonderful.” An egotistical attitude like that can be detrimental to one’s eternal salvation.

Some other everyday examples of the sin of pride: self-absorption and vanity; easily taking offense; reaction to criticism and over-sensitivity; the craving for attention, adulation, and praise; having to have it “my way’; not taking legitimate praise (for the gifts that come from God working in you); not admitting mistakes; always talking about yourself/your children/grandchildren/your interests… and not really listening to others; being judgmental… the list goes on. We each have our particular “brands” of pride.

Yet, we have the capability to become something greater than we are only through the humble, obedient love of our Lord Jesus. Mary said to the angel, “Let it be done unto me according to thy Word.” May our attitude be the same through her prayers, so that we too may make God #1 and share His Life in heaven.

BLESSING OF PARISH VOLUNTEERS AND FOUNDING MEMBERS: Next Sunday November 25th, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, all our parish volunteers and founding members are invited to attend the 9.30 Mass. They will receive a special blessing and there will be a reception for all parishioners in Msgr. Costa Hall after the Mass. All parishioners are welcome.

GOLF OUTING: At the Gala Dinner it was announced that St. Paul’s Annual Golf Outing will take place at the Nassau Club in Glen Cove on Monday May 6, 2019. Please save that date. Our honorees at the Golf Outing will and be Joseph and Madeline Spinnato who will receive the Annual Monsignor Mario C. Costa Award for their tireless dedication to St. Paul’s for over 40 years and James and Cathy Black, Esq. and their children Christopher and Alix who will receive the Annual Sr. Regina Kraft Award for their dedication to the youth of St. Paul’s. I am very grateful to Mr. Don Cavanaugh, the Chair of the Golf Committee, and all the Committee members for their effort and work. Our Knights of Columbus who do so much for us all will be the sponsors for the Golf Outing. It is always a joy to see our Squires at the Golf Outing who do much of the behind the scenes work.

SQUIRES: After the 11.00AM Mass today our new Squire Officers will be installed in Monsignor Costa Hall. We congratulate them and invite everyone to the installation. This Squire Circle is named in memory of PGK Eugene J. Reilly. Special thanks to Mr. Peter Boyle, PGK, who is the counselor of this excellent youth program. In fact, the very first parish meeting that I attended upon my arrival at St. Paul’s was the meeting of the Squires on June 27, 2013.

THANKSGIVING DAY: May God bless all of you then on Thanksgiving Day which is celebrated on Thursday. Why not begin it in the right way by attending Holy Mass on Wednesday at 7.30pm in the Church? Let us give thanks to the Lord our God…It is right and just! There will also be Mass at 9.00am on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, in the Church. Please bring your offerings of food (Wednesday Mass only) which will be blessed and distributed to the poor from our very own parish outreach. Thank you, Joe and Linda Curro, for all your devotion to Parish Outreach and St. Vincent de Paul.